Massaging and reducing machine

ABSTRACT

A massaging apparatus including a support panel mounted in taut generally planar condition and including a first face against which a body portion to be massaged may be placed and a reverse face. The apparatus further includes an elongated vibrator member supported in generally parallel relation relative to and in contacting relation with the aforementioned reverse face. The vibrator member is supported for lateral reciprocation in a path generally paralleling the support panel and is also mounted for oscillation about an axis generally paralleling the aforementioned path during or independent of lateral movement of the vibrator along the path with the axis of oscillation of the vibrator member disposed generally centrally intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The massaging and reducing machine is illustrated and described hereinafter as a horizontal table upon which a person may lie in order to massage those portions of the body facing downward. However, the massaging apparatus can be mounted on an incline or in a vertical position, if desired. It is also envisioned that the support panel could be disposed over a person in a prone position with the vibrator member of the massaging apparatus disposed above the support panel and utilized to massage those portions of a prone person facing upwardly.

United States Patent Primary Examiner-L. W. Trapp Attorneys-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A massaging apparatus including a support panel mounted in taut generally planar condition and including a first face against which a body portion to be massaged may be placed and a reverse face. The apparatus further in cludes an elongated vibrator member supported in generally parallel relation relative to and in contacting relation with the aforementioned reverse face. The vibrator member is supported for lateral reciprocation in a path generally paralleling the support panel and is also mounted for oscillation about an axis generally paralleling the aforementioned path during or independent of lateral movement of the vibrator along the path with the axis of oscillation of the vibrator member disposed generally centrally intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The massaging and reducing machine is illustrated and described hereinafter as a horizontal table upon which a person may lie in order to massage those portions of the body facing downward. However, the massaging apparatus can be mounted on an incline or in a vertical position, if desired. It is also envisioned that the support panel could be disposed over a person in a prone position with the vibrator member of the massaging apparatus disposed above the support panel and utilized to massage those portions of a prone person facing upwardly.

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SHEET 3 BF 3 INVIZNTOR.

MASSAGING AND REDUCING MACHINE The massaging apparatus includes a support panel of flexible material which is in the form illustrated and described hereinafter horizontally disposed and adapted to have a person to be massaged disposed thereon in a prone position. A carriage is supported beneath the elongated support panel for reciprocation longitudinally of the latter and the carriage supports an elongated vibratory member in horizontal position immediately beneath the support panel and with the vibrator member extending transversely of the panel. The vibrator member is supported for oscillatory movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the panel and centrally intermediate the opposite ends of the vibratory.

Oscillatory movement of the vibrator member is achieved through a drive member comprising an electric motor having controls readily accessible to a person disposed on the support panel and the carriage from which the vibrator member is supported may also be shifted in position as desired by the person being massaged.

The main object of this invention is to provide a massaging apparatus designed primarily to provide a massaging apparatus capable of massaging various body portions while the person using the massaging apparatus is disposed in a comfortable prone position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a massaging apparatus in accordance with the immediately preceding object and constructed in a manner whereby the person utilizing the apparatus may select the portions of his body to be massaged while the apparatus is in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a massaging apparatus which may be utilized to massage a large percentage of those portions of the human anatomy which are most frequently massaged.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a massaging apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the massaging apparatus with an alternate position of the backrest illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the massaging apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view on somewhat of an enlarged scale and illustrating the mounting of one end of the vibratory member;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the massaging apparatus with the support panel thereof removed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 7-7 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the carriage component of the massaging apparatus together with fragmentary portions of the guide rail portion of the table structure from which the carriage is supported.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the massaging apparatus of the instant invention. The apparatus 10 includes a support table assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 and it may be seen from F I08. 3 and 4 of the drawings that the support table assembly 12 includes an upper peripheral frame generally referred to by the reference numeral 14 including opposite side longitudinal C-shaped channel members 16 interconnected at corresponding ends by opposite end C-shaped channel members 18. The support table assembly further includes four opposite end legs 20 dependingly supported from the four corner portions of the frame 14 and the legs at each end of the support table assembly 12. are interconnected by means of a lower horizontal transverse brace 22.

A flexible support panel 24 is disposed over the frame l4 and includes opposite side and end hems 26 and 28 in which tubular members 30 provided with resilient tubular sleeve coverings 32 are secured. A plurality of fasteners 34 are spaced about the periphery of the panel 24 and are secured through the tubular members 30 as well as the tubular sleeves 32 and the hems 26 and 28 in order to secure the panel 24 in taut condition across the upper surface portions of the frame 14. The fasteners 34 include heads 38 seated against rigid bearing pads 40 through which the fasteners 34 are secured.

The legs 20 are each attached to the comer portions of the frame 14 by means of pivot joint assemblies 40 and accordingly, each pair of interconnected legs may be folded upward and inward toward the center of the frame 14 whereby the support table assembly may be collapsed for compact shipment and or storage.

The support panel 24 is pleated as at 42 and one end of the support table assembly 12 includes a flexible pad 44 which is secured to the corresponding channel member 18 as at 46 and is swingable from the solid line position thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings to the phantom line position 48 thereof illustrated in FIG. 3. Also, the opposite sides of the support table assembly 12 are provided with depending pleated and flexible skirt portions 50 secured to the channel members 16.

The end of the support table assembly 12 remote from the pad 44 has a pair of opposite side pivot mounts 52 mounted thereon and one end of a brace panel 54 is secured to the pivot mount 52 for oscillation about an axis extending therebetween and a backrest panel 56 has one endportion thereof secured to the other end portion of the brace panel 54 in any convenient manner for swinging movement relative thereto about an axis extending transversely of the panels 54 and 56. In addition, the backrest panel 56 includes a pair of spring clips 58 which may be frictionally engaged with the opposite side portions of the brace panel 54 in order to retain the backrest panel 56 in the inoperative position illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. However, the panels 54 and 56 may be swung to the phantom line positions thereof illustrated in FIG. I of the drawings in order to define a backrest.

An elongated carriage referred to in general by the reference numeral 58 is provided and] includes a pair of opposite side longitudinal angle members 60 between which a pair of opposite end transverse angle members 62 are secured in any convenient manner such as by fasteners 64. A pair of guide blocks 66 defining upstanding slots 68 are provided at secured to the upstanding flange portions of the angle members 62 by means of suitable fasteners 70. The slots 68 are closed at the lower ends, open at their upper ends and open toward each other.

A pair of opposite side longitudinal axle members 72 are secured to the horizontal flange portions of the angle members 60 by means of any suitable fasteners (not shown) and the axle members 72 include reduced diameter end portions upon which rollers 74 are journaled. The carriage 58 is supported from the frame 14 with the rollers 74 thereof held captive in and guidingly supported form the channel member 116 and thus the carriage 58 is mounted for transverse reciprocation longitudinally of the frame 14.

A pair of follower members which are generally cylindrical in shape and include depending threaded shank portions 82 are guidingly received in the slot 66 and the lower ends of the shank portions 82 are threadedly engaged in the upper ends of tubular connecting rods 84. The rollers 80 have aligned bores 86 formed therethrough and the opposite ends 88 of a roller referred to in general by the reference numeral 90 are journaled in the bores 86, the roller 90 including a diametrically enlarged resilient body portion centrally intermediate its opposite ends.

A pair of opposite end depending motor supports 94, see FIG. 3, are carried by the transverse angle members 62 and support a variable speed electric motor 96 therebetween including a pair of opposite end outwardly projecting rotary shaft portions 98 upon which eccentric cranks 100 are mounted for rotation therewith. The cranks 100 include pins 110 positioned eccentrically relative to the shaft portions 98 and the pins 110 are journaled through bores 112 formed diametrically through the lower ends of the tubular connecting rods 84.

As only the upper ends of the connecting rods 84 are tubular the pins extend through. continuous bores formed diametrically through the lower ends of the connecting rods 84. Further, the cranks 100 are disposed in 180 out of phase relationship and accordingly, when one end of the roller 90 is displaced upwardly, the other end of the roller 90 is displaced downwardly.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 6 of the drawings it will be seen that the carriage 58 includes a pair of pulleys 114 and 116 on one side thereof and a second pair of pulleys 118 and 120 on the other side thereof. Further, one end of the frame 14 includes a pair of pulleys 122 and 124 journaled from the corresponding channel member 18 and the other end of the frame 14 includes a pair of pulleys 126 and 128 which are also journaled from he corresponding channel member 18. Further, with attention now invited more specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the frame 14 includes still another pair of pulleys 130 and 132 journaled from one of the channel members 18 of the frame 14 and aligned with openings 134 formed in the corresponding skirt portion 50.

An endless flexible tension member 136 has one end secured to the channel member 18 adjacent the pivot mounts 52 as at 138 and the tension members thereafter passed about the pulleys 114, 122, 116, 124, 130, 132, 128, 120, 126 and 118, in that order and with the other end of the tension member 136 anchored to the channel member 18 remote from the pivot mounts 52 as at 140. The reach of the tension member 136 extending between the pulleys 130 is engageable by a person disposed on the support table assembly 12 inasmuch as this reach of the tension member 136 is disposed exteriorly of the corresponding skirt portion 50.

The opposite ends of the support table assembly 12 include pleated skirt portions 142 which correspond to the skirt portions 50 and it is to be noted that the support panel 24 is disposed in a reasonably taut condition,

From P16. 6 of the drawings it may be seen that a control switch 146 is supported from the frame 14 and it is to be noted that the control switch 146 includes a switch actuator portion (not shown) engageable from the exterior of the corresponding channel member 16 for controlling the operation of the motor 96. Of course, the motor 96 is electrically connected to a suitable source of electrical potential through the switch 146 and therefore a person lying in a prone position upon the support table assemble 12 may readily control the operation of the motor 96.

In operation, should a person wish to massage any portions of his body which face rearwardly, he may assume a supine position on the massaging apparatus 10. Thereafter, he may actuate the switch 146 to initiate operation of the motor 96 and thereafter longitudinally shift the reach of the tension member 136 extending between the pulleys 130 and 132 so as to shift the carriage 58 longitudinally of the support table assembly 12 to the position desired. It will be noted that maximum vertical movement of the body 92 of the roller 90 is experienced by the opposite end portions of the body portion and accordingly, should the person lying supine on the massaging apparatus 10 wish to massage his back, the vibrating or oscillating roller will not excessively vibrate the backbone or spinal column of the person utilizing the massaging a paratus 10 as long as that person 15 properly centere on tlie support table assembly 12. However, if slight massaging of the skin overlying the spinal column is desired, the person using the massaging apparatus 10 may displace himself laterally either to the right or to the left the proper distance in order to obtain the amount of massaging desired. Of course, the forward facing portions of a person may be massaged by that person lying in a prone position upon the massaging apparatus in a face downward position and the opposite side portions of a person using the massaging apparatus 10 may be massaged by that person lying on his side.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A flexible massaging apparatus including a panel including first and second pairs of opposite side marginal portions and supported at those marginal portions from a suitable support in taut generally planar condition, a carriage guidingly supported adjacent one side face of said panel for movement therealong between one pair of said marginal edge portions, an elongated vibrator member generally paralleling said panel, disposed generally normal to the direction of movement of said carriage and supported from the latter for limited oscillation about an axis paralleling said direction of movement and spaced centrally intermediate the opposite ends of said vibrator member, said vibrator member being at least closely adjacent said one side face whereby at least the opposite ends thereof will engage and deflect said panel upon oscillation of said vibrator member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said panel is horizontally disposed.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said one side face of said panel comprises the lower face thereof.

4. The combination of claim 1 including a support table assembly including an upper open frame and depending support legs, said panel being supported from said frame in generally horizontal position.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said table is horizontally elongated and includes pairs of opposite end legs, the upper ends of said legs being pivotally secured to said frame for swinging movement about horizontal transverse axes, whereby said pairs of legs may be folded beneath said frame for compact storage and shipment.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vibrator member comprises a journaled roller provided with a resilient outer sleeve.

7. The combination of claim 1 including means for adjustably shifting said axis toward and away from said one side face of said panel.

8. The combination of claim 1 including an elongated support frame including a pair of opposite track defining members extending longitudinally thereof and from which said one pair of said marginal edge portions are supported, said carriage including a pair of followers guidingly engaged with each of said track defining members at points spaced longitudinally therealong,

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said vibrator member comprises a journaled roller provided with a resilient outer sleeve. 

1. A flexible massaging apparatus including a panel including first and second pairs of opposite side marginal portions and supported at those marginal portions from a suitable support in taut generally planar condition, a carriage guidingly supported adjacent one side face of said panel for movement therealong between one pair of said marginal edge portions, an elongated vibrator member generally paralleling said panel, disposed generally normal to the direction of movement of said carriage and supported from the latter for limited oscillation about an axis paralleling said direction of movement and spaced centrally intermediate the opposite ends of said vibrator member, said vibrator member being at least closely adjacent said one side face whereby at least the opposite ends thereof wIll engage and deflect said panel upon oscillation of said vibrator member.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said panel is horizontally disposed.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said one side face of said panel comprises the lower face thereof.
 4. The combination of claim 1 including a support table assembly including an upper open frame and depending support legs, said panel being supported from said frame in generally horizontal position.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said table is horizontally elongated and includes pairs of opposite end legs, the upper ends of said legs being pivotally secured to said frame for swinging movement about horizontal transverse axes, whereby said pairs of legs may be folded beneath said frame for compact storage and shipment.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said vibrator member comprises a journaled roller provided with a resilient outer sleeve.
 7. The combination of claim 1 including means for adjustably shifting said axis toward and away from said one side face of said panel.
 8. The combination of claim 1 including an elongated support frame including a pair of opposite track defining members extending longitudinally thereof and from which said one pair of said marginal edge portions are supported, said carriage including a pair of followers guidingly engaged with each of said track defining members at points spaced longitudinally therealong,
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said vibrator member comprises a journaled roller provided with a resilient outer sleeve. 